Correct option is C
The correct answer is (c).
Introduction
Ground-level ozone (O3) is a quintessential secondary pollutant.
It is not emitted directly into the air but is created by chemical reactions between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of intense sunlight.
Additional Knowledge
Information Booster
- Unlike primary pollutants, secondary pollutants form in the lower atmosphere (troposphere) through complex photochemical pathways.
- Ozone formation peaks during the summer months because ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight acts as the catalyst for the NOx and VOC reactions.
- Major sources of NOx and VOC precursor emissions include vehicle exhaust, industrial facilities, chemical solvents, and gasoline vapors.
- Tropospheric ozone is a major constituent of photochemical smog, which severely reduces visibility and harms human respiratory health.
- Ozone also acts as a powerful oxidant, damaging plant tissues and reducing agricultural crop yields.
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is a primary pollutant produced directly from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels, largely from vehicles.
- Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a primary pollutant emitted directly from the burning of sulfur-containing fossil fuels, such as coal in thermal power plants.
- Particulate matter (PM) can be both primary (emitted directly as dust or soot) and secondary (formed from the condensation of gases), but it is not specifically defined as the product of NOx and VOC photochemical reactions.
- Thee recognition of secondary pollutants forced international policy to shift from simply capturing stack emissions to redesigning internal combustion engines and regulating industrial solvents.
English
10 Questions
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